Random updates

Whew, another month down and only 4 more to go.... Hopefully we don't have to go beyond the minimum time.

RJ mentioned last fall that he'd like to learn to play the piano. I said maybe getting a keyboard would be a good idea, and I've been passively watching for one at a decent price for his birthday. We went Garage Sale-ing at Amber Terrace (by Grandma & Grandpa's) and found an almost-new keyboard with the box, instructions and power cord all for the low price of $25!!! I asked RJ if he wanted it, "YEAH!!!" was his enthusiastic reply. He was even willing to spend the money he earned shoveling over the winter, so he now owns a Yamaha Keyboard. It's very cool, and the battery in it still works and has a LONG charge on it. Today at sales up by Riverside Park we found piano lesson books too, and he's done very well with those. He's played a couple songs already! He didn't get that musical talent from me, I'm not sure where it came from.

Nate found a Nintendo 64 system and games, but I said no. We already have the X-Box and Playstation here, and the Super Nintendo at their Dad's, that's plenty of game systems. Today he found a Hot Wheels skull island playset that he wanted, and for $2 he could have that. He also found a nice GE headset with a microphone to use with his computer, so he's a happy camper too.

I found a wood wheeled desk chair that I liked, paired with a desk Mom convinced me to buy. I didn't think I would want the desk, but I'm glad Mom talked me into it. Today we saw one of those cool floor lamps that has the 5 bendy ends on top, with different colored shades. We thought someone was buying it when we went in, but when we left it was still there, so I stopped and sent RJ to ask about it. He came back and said it was only $5, I said "then it's ours!" More stuff for Dad's pole barn.

After hitting a few garage sales this morning we went to Riverside Park for a Pow-Wow (which is why we were up there in the first place). That was okay, we looked at the crafts and were there for the Grand Entrance, but we all got bored shortly. We had lunch there though, and RJ had a Buffalo Burger (I tried a bite, it was good). Nate, much less adventuress, had a hot dog. We all had fry bread too, then left for home. Nate was ready to hit his computer with the headset, then play with the new Hot Wheels track, while RJ worked on the keyboard with one of the lesson books. We kicked back for the afternoon, then they went with their dad.

They will be in Ypsilanti for Father's Day, with Ron and his family.

Garage Sale

Well, the garage sale Saturday at Aunt Mary & Uncle Jim's went okay, I got rid of a lot of yarn and made $135 that day :-) We used part of the money to get a zoo membership at John Ball Zoo that afternoon, and some more for dinner at Big Boy after the zoo.

The zoo has made some changes to their duck pond area, adding a walkway between the old duck pond and the flamingo pond, and another deck area out into the upper pond. They have pelicans in the upper pond now too! The ropes course they put in looks very cool, but it's another $7. I told the boys they could do it another day as we wouldn't be paying admission then... The zip line goes from the top of the waterfall to somewhere, and looks like fun too, but that's another $5... Not today, another time.

They've also changed the fence area in front of the bears & sheep, ripping out all the shrubs so little kids can actually see. From the peeks we had into the new lion exhibit it looks really cool, we can't wait for it to open! We had a fun afternoon then went for dinner and shakes at Big Boy on Pearl Street. Nate had so much chocolate malt he couldn't even finis his spaghetti!!

Thank you Aunt Mary & Uncle Jim for hosting my sale!